The problem is, he says, that he regards psychotherapy as a form of con-artistry: "psychotherapists are snake oil salesmen, latter-day witch doctors, only less efficient." He hates to feel cheated or deceived. Does he often feel that way? He laughs dismissively: he is too clever for run-of-the-mill crooks. He is often underestimated by them.

Do other people besides crooks underestimate him? He admits to being unappreciated and underpaid at work. It bothers him. He deserves more than that. Obsequious intellectual midgets rise to the top in every organization, he observes with virulent envy. How does he cope with this discrepancy between the way he perceives himself and the way others, evidently, evaluate him? He ignores such fools. How can one ignore one's co-workers and one's superiors? He doesn't talk to them. In other words, he sulks?

Not always. He sometimes tries to "enlighten and educate" people he deems "worthy". It often gets him into arguments and he has acquired a reputation as a cantankerous curmudgeon but he doesn't care. Is he an impatient or irritable person? "What do you think?" - he counters - "During this session did I ever lose my cool?" Frequently. He half rises from his chair then thinks better of it and settles down. "Do your thing" - he says sullenly and contemptuously - "Let's get it over with."

(From the book "Malignant Self-love: Narcissism Revisited" by Sam Vaknin - Click on this link to purchase the print book, or 16 e-books, or 2 DVDs with 12 hours of video lectures on narcissists, psychopaths, and abuse in relationships: http://www.narcissistic-abuse.com/thebook.html)

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